Sir Truculent In Search Of Brisbane Gold

Recently crowned South Australian Greyhound of the Year Sir Truculent will be out to do his home state proud in Thursday night's Group 1 Gold Cup Final (710m) at Albion Park.

Owned by his usual trainer Wally Harkins but in the hands of leading conditioner Tony Brett for his Brisbane campaign, Sir Truculent has drawn box one for Thursday's $75,000-to-the-winner final following his impressive 42.23 heat romp.

"Three weeks ago he pulled up with a slight sprain in his wrist after racing at Angle Park and I was working on it feverishly to get him right for Brisbane," Harkins said.

"There was no structural damage so I was able to get him there, but he'd hardly had any work. I knew he was underdone and I certainly wasn't panicking when he didn't perform first up.

"He went like we expected last week in his heat."

Sir Truculent is one of the country's most recognisable names, a prolific winner at Angle Park during his career.

"He's been a once in a lifetime dog for me, if you're breaking 43 seconds at Angle Park you're doing well – and he does," Harkins said.

"To win the SA GOTY on the weekend was very special.

"He'd checked every box here at home so I sent him over to Melbourne for the Topgun Stayers and Bold Trease where he was nosed out of a group 1 against Australia's best stayers. That's when I knew he'd stack up against anything.

"I got home from his Melbourne campaign and there was a package waiting for me from Racing Queensland outlining the staying races coming up which I thought was a nice touch. Soon after a mate got me in touch with Tony and he was off again."

Tab.com.au have Sir Truculent at $6.50 for Thursday's group 1 staying feature with the favourite tag held by 41.72 heat victor Here's Tears at $2.60.

Powerhouse 41.78 heat winner Sunset Bourbski is $2.80 while Burnt Ends rounds out the chances under double figure odds at $7.50.

For Harkins, he's hoping a breakneck speed can set it up for Sir Truculent to finish over the top.

"I'm hoping dogs like Here's Tears and Big Boy Bruce can string the field out which will give my dog and Sunset Bourbski a chance late," Harkins said.

"He's only just turned three and his best is still ahead I think.

"It's funny he didn't break in particularly well and I sold him to a bloke for $2000 on the premise that I would train him in South Australia.

"The owner had him for his first seven wins, I think his prize money was around $27,000 and he called me and said he wanted to sell the dog back for the price he bought him for which I jumped at.

"He's now gone on to win over $170,000."